"The space in the eye that is behind the cornea and in front of the iris. The cornea is the outer, transparent, dome-like structure that covers the iris,pupil, and the anterior chamber. The iris is the colored ring of tissue suspended behind the cornea and immediately in front of the lens; it regulates the amount of light entering the eye by adjusting the size of the pupil. The anterior chamber is filled with a watery fluid known as the aqueous humor, or aqueous. Produced by a structure alongside the lens called the ciliary body, the aqueous passes first into the posterior chamber (between the lens and iris) and then flows forward through the pupil into the anterior chamber of the eye."

RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------

CorneaThe front part of the eye that acts as a window for the entrance of light rays. It is attached to the other outer coat of the eye, the sclera; the white part of the eye. The cornea provides a significant amount of focusing power for the eye (the rest is provided by the lens). Because it has many nerve fibers, an injury or foreign body causes significant pain and discomfort.

IrisThe colored part of the eye with a hole (pupil) in the center. It regulates the amount of light entering the eye – the dimmer the lighting the more light the iris lets into the eye by widening the pupil.

PupilA circular opening in the center of the iris. The size of the pupil changes according to the amount of light present. It is small in sunlight and large in a dark room.

AnteriorThe front, as opposed to the posterior. The anterior surface of the heart is toward the breast bone (the sternum).

TissueBiological tissue is a group of cells that perform a similar function.The study of tissues is known as histology, or, in connection with disease, histopathology.The classical tools for studying the tissues are the wax block, the tissue stain, and the optical microscope, though developments in electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, and frozen sections have all added to the sum of knowledge in the last couple of decades.

LensThe lens of the eye is like an adjustable lens of a camera and focuses light rays on to the retina for sharp images. A condition called presbyopia occurs when the lens is no longer able to adjust for objects at different distances.

HumorThe faculty of expressing the amusing, clever, or comical or the keen perception and cleverly apt expression of connections between ideas that awaken amusement and pleasure. (From Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed)

PosteriorAt or toward the back.

SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------

Ante mortemBefore death.

AnteanExceptionally strong or large. A multi-vitamin pill may, for example, be of Antean proportions.

AntegradeForward-moving. As in blood flow. Sometimes synonymous with anterograde.

Antegrade amnesiaAmnesia in which the loss of memory relates to events that occur after a traumatic event. There is inability to recall new information. Old information can be recalled. Antegrade amnesia may follow brain trauma. Also called anterograde amnesia. This type of amnesia is in contrast to retrograde amnesia in which the lack of memory relates to events that occurred before a traumatic event.

Antenatal surgeryThe surgical treatment of the fetus before birth. Also called prenatal surgery or, most often, fetal surgery.

AnteparAntepar is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): piperazine citrate.

AntepartumOccurring before delivery of a baby.

AnteriorThe front, as opposed to the posterior. The anterior surface of the heart is toward the breast bone (the sternum).

Anterior cruciate injuryA knee injury involving the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The ACL runs diagonally across the front of the knee from the underside of the femur (the thigh bone) to the top of the tibia (the bigger bone in the lower leg).

Anterior cruciate ligamentligament in the knee that crosses from the underside of the femur (the thigh bone) to the top of the tibia (the bigger bone in the lower leg). Abbreviated ACL. Injuries to the ACL can occur in a number of situations, including sports, and can be quite serious, requiring surgery.

Anterior pituitaryThe front portion of the pituitary, a small gland in the head called the master gland. Hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary influence growth, sexual development, skin pigmentation, thyroid function, and adrenocortical function. These influences are exerted through the effects of pituitary hormones on other endocrine glands except for growth hormone which acts directly on cells. The effects of underfunction of the anterior pituitary include growth retardation (dwarfism) in childhood and a decrease in all other endocrine gland functions normally under the control of the anterior pituitary (except the parathyroid glands). The results of overfunction of the anterior pituitary include overgrowth (gigantism) in children and a condition called acromegaly in adults.

Anterior positionWhen the baby faces the back of the mother's pelvis in utero and/or during labor.

Anterior teethThe six upper or six lower front teeth.

Anterior tongueThe front two-thirds of the tongue. In contrast to the base of the tongue, which is the back third. The distinction between the anterior and base of the tongue reflects the fact that they are of different embryological origin. The distinction also matters as regards cancer. See: Tongue cancer.

AnterogradeMoving forward or extending forward. Anterograde memory is memory for what occurs after an event such as an accident. Also called antegrade. From the Latin antero- + gredior (to step or go).

Anterograde amnesiaSee: Antegrade amnesia.

Anterograde memoryLoss of short-term memory with retention of memories from the distant past (long-term memory).

AnteroposteriorFrom front to back. When a chest x-ray is taken with the back against the film plate and the x-ray machine in front of the patient it is called an anteroposterior (AP) view. As opposed to from back to front (which is called posteroanterior).

Anteroposterior (AP)In anatomy, AP stands for anteroposterior: from front-to-back. For example, an AP X-ray of the chest is taken from front-to-back. AP in this respect is the opposite of PA, which stands for posteroanterior: from back-to-front.

PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------

AnteanExceptionally strong or large. A multi-vitamin pill may, for example, be of Antean proportions.

AntegradeForward-moving. As in blood flow. Sometimes synonymous with anterograde.

Antegrade amnesiaAmnesia in which the loss of memory relates to events that occur after a traumatic event. There is inability to recall new information. Old information can be recalled. Antegrade amnesia may follow brain trauma. Also called anterograde amnesia. This type of amnesia is in contrast to retrograde amnesia in which the lack of memory relates to events that occurred before a traumatic event.

Antenatal surgeryThe surgical treatment of the fetus before birth. Also called prenatal surgery or, most often, fetal surgery.

AnteriorThe front, as opposed to the posterior. The anterior surface of the heart is toward the breast bone (the sternum).

Anterior chamber

Anterior cruciate injuryA knee injury involving the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The ACL runs diagonally across the front of the knee from the underside of the femur (the thigh bone) to the top of the tibia (the bigger bone in the lower leg).

Anterior cruciate ligamentligament in the knee that crosses from the underside of the femur (the thigh bone) to the top of the tibia (the bigger bone in the lower leg). Abbreviated ACL. Injuries to the ACL can occur in a number of situations, including sports, and can be quite serious, requiring surgery.

Anterior pituitaryThe front portion of the pituitary, a small gland in the head called the master gland. Hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary influence growth, sexual development, skin pigmentation, thyroid function, and adrenocortical function. These influences are exerted through the effects of pituitary hormones on other endocrine glands except for growth hormone which acts directly on cells. The effects of underfunction of the anterior pituitary include growth retardation (dwarfism) in childhood and a decrease in all other endocrine gland functions normally under the control of the anterior pituitary (except the parathyroid glands). The results of overfunction of the anterior pituitary include overgrowth (gigantism) in children and a condition called acromegaly in adults.

Anterior tongueThe front two-thirds of the tongue. In contrast to the base of the tongue, which is the back third. The distinction between the anterior and base of the tongue reflects the fact that they are of different embryological origin. The distinction also matters as regards cancer. See: Tongue cancer.

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